Poor start puts Country XI behind the eight-ball

The WA Country XI face an uphill battle to reach the quarterfinals of the WACA Premier T20 competition after losing their opening two matches in Perth on Sunday.

Competing in group D of the competition that consists of all first-grade teams, the WA Country XI lost by seven wickets to Subiaco-Floreat in their morning fixture before falling 60 runs short against Mt Lawley later in the day at Breckler Park.

Mt Barker’s Nathan Crosby was called into the WA Country XI side for round 1 of the Premier T20 and Railways youngster Aubin Spurr also played.

The WA Country XI reached 7-101 batting first against Subiaco-Floreat, Crosby making just two as an opener.

Albany product Julian Crudeli top scored with 60 not out for the WA Country XI.

A Subiaco-Floreat team that included WA star Nathan Coulter-Nile cruised to victory, passing the total in the 13th over only three wickets down.

Coulter-Nile crunched 29 off 12 balls and took 2-24 off his four overs.

Mt Lawley posted an impressive 4-143 batting first courtesy of strong top order contributions, led by Clint Hinchliffe (39).

Former Mt Barker seamer Jacob Wintle took 1-25 and Crudeli snared 1-34.

Crosby opened again and made a solid 17 from 19 balls, including one four and one six, before being the third wicket to fall.

Spurr was out for a duck second ball and the WA Country XI were all out for 84 in reply.

The WA Country XI face Wanneroo and Gosnells in their final two qualifying games on December 15.

Ex-Albany batsman Shayne Wornes was bowled for a second ball duck playing for Willetton in group C.

Perth Scorcher Sam Whiteman hit 67 from 43 to help Fremantle beat Willetton by seven wickets.

Former Albany resident Viv Paver took two wickets and made eight but it wasn’t enough to get University over the line in their group C clash with Midland-Guilford.

Paver snared 2-16 off his four overs as Midland-Guilford made 6-151 and he made eight off 16 balls as University finished 9-114 in the chase.